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However, in a televised speech hours after his address was cut short, Maduro said he survived thanks to God, the people and the country's armed forces.

He blamed the "ultra-right wing" in Venezuela - his term for the opposition - the United States and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, an outspoken critic of his.

He said "everything points" to a right-wing plot that initial investigation suggested originated in neighboring Colombia.

The transmission cut just seconds after the blast (Image: CARACAS)

Soldiers could be seen running away (Image: CARACAS)

The president gestures next to Minister of Defence General Vladimir Padrino during a ceremony to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the National Guard in Caracas (Image: AFP)

Security forces check a nearby building after the explosion (Image: AFP)

Several perpetrators were caught, he said, without elaborating.

"That drone was coming for me but there was a shield of love," Maduro said. "I am sure I will live for many more years."

A Colombian government source as saying Maduro's allegation was "absurd" and that Santos was celebrating his granddaughter's baptism on Saturday.

"He is not thinking of anything else, least of all bringing down foreign governments," the source said.

However, a group called the "National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts" claimed responsibility for the attack later.

In a series of posts on social media, the group said it had planned to fly two drones but that snipers shot them down.

The president blamed the "ultra-right wing" in Venezuela - his term for the opposition - the United States and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, an outspoken critic of his (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Several perpetrators were caught, he said, without elaborating (Image: AFP)

It comes exactly a year after fears of a coup in Venezuela were sparked when a video emerged of men in uniform saying they were launching an uprising against Maduro (Image: AFP)

"We demonstrated that they are vulnerable. We didn't have success today, but it's just a question of time," said the group, which says it was founded in 2014 to bring together all of Venezuela's "groups of resistance."

The attempted attack comes exactly a year after fears of a coup in Venezuela were sparked when a video emerged of men in uniform saying they were launching an uprising against Maduro.

In June of last year, rogue police officer Oscar Perez hijacked a helicopter and fired at government buildings in what he said was an action against a dictator.

A Colombian government source as saying Maduro's allegation was "absurd" and that Santos was celebrating his granddaughter's baptism on Saturday (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Security forces check a building after the explosion was heard (Image: AFP)

Communication Minister Jorge Rodriguez said was an "attack" against the leftist leader (Image: AFP)